The Beast And The Blessed

Three: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

It was the closest I could get us, and that made my stomach tighten.

Only a few weeks ago, Lycans, wolves, and humans faced off against a collection of witches and vampires for the right to the crown. We came out victorious because of the strength of our Queen's magic. All of the vampires had been burned to ashes, and the witches who had taken part in the treasonous attack had been executed for their crimes.

Yet, their spell was still in place, telling me that at least one witch involved in the casting remained. More than likely, they were still hiding here, in the mountains.

He wanted to know why I brought us here, and the answer couldn't have been more disturbing to me.

"Because I couldn't get us closer," I whispered as I lifted my hand and ran it over the thick wall of magic. It was strong. Whoever cast this was not to be taken lightly. 'Someone survived, and I have a bad feeling about it."

I walked forward through the thick, water-like air filled with magic until I reached the other side. It was the same barrier I had felt the night before the attack.

The sounds of bones cracking and popping filled the area as Tobias shifted into his Lycan, prepared to fight. His hulking figure towered over me as he stood just behind my shoulder. I took a deep breath to collect myself, trying not to be distracted by his close proximity.

A cold breeze blew through the trees, making the oak leaves and the pine needles rustle loudly. The tiny hairs on my neck lifted, and I glanced around the forest. Each step forward had my anger increasing.

It didn't feel like we were alone, but they had masked themselves well. Tobias seemed to have the same realization as I heard him inhale deeply before letting a low growl out.

I almost wanted them to step out so I could fight them and finally release some of this frustration on someone, but the forest was empty. There were no animals of any kind, and the further up we hiked, the drier and more diseased the plants and ground became. They hadn't been like this before, and I had to pause and confirm we were going in the right direction before we could continue.

I was so focused on our surroundings that I jumped when Tobias placed his large claw on my hip.

The need to pull away and eliminate him as a distraction vanished when I tilted my head back and saw his muzzle over my head as he stared out into the trees. It felt so natural to have his hand there, and I was sure he didn't even realize he was doing it. His chest brushed against my back as he slowly turned his head from side to side, scanning our surroundings, but I couldn't take my eyes away from him.

He knew what he was doing. This was his job as one of the private bodyguards to the Queen. A flare of jealousy rushed through me as I imagined him doing this with Natalie, even though I knew he never would. I had never seen him touch her. He adored the Queen, as did the rest of her people, but it wasn't infatuation. He respected her and the king.

Still, I knew he wasn't infatuated with me either, and yet, here we were.

me, suddenly realizing the position he had placed us in, and took a step back with his top lip pulled up in a silent snarl. The loss of his body

Then one day, he cut me out of his life and didn't talk to me again for years. He didn't speak to anyone again for years. It took a long time to

we maintained this acquaintanceship where some days I was his friend, and some days I was nothing more than a colleague.

Once again, he pulled away from me like I was some disease-ridden animal when he was the one

my head and kept walking. I didn't want his excuses. I also didn't want

home before nightfall. ' I stepped over a fallen tree, noticing the small black lines that had run up the trunk. They pulsed faintly, and as I let my fingertips graze over them, I could feel the dark

before anything else when I looked up. The large flat slab had been lifted atop another to be raised, and

across this during our attack, it had been covered in fresh blood. Chains had been

they weren't here

cleaned. Even the dirt had been cleared of

inspecting the rust-red-stained stone. Every line and crack in the stone had been cleaned. There wasn't a spec of dried blood, and I smacked my palm down

their mess and hide any evidence." I turned, walking around one of the trees that I knew had chains tied to it. Chunks of bark lay scattered on the ground, having fallen from the friction of the metal rubbing against

of knowing it could have been a child

way. The tender touch and thoughtful gesture made my chest hurt. I took a few deep, calming

bitter and angry. All this confirmed was that at least one witch was still alive, practicing dark magic and growing stronger. I had seen the blood and chains.

whole day on this stupid trek to find answers and had nothing substantial to show for it. I was left with

I grabbed Tobias's forearm, and we were sucked

or welcomed into Tobias's life outside of the castle. That realization seemed to be the last straw before all of my anger deflated, and we were left standing in the sitting room of my private

may go." I dismissed him without looking back at him as I walked up the stairs to my bedroom. I

made me tense, but I was done fighting today. Everything had been a struggle or a fight for the past few months. The only difference was that I had people on my side before the war. Now, I was in

position in the kingdom had basically become

my own and prove myself to Killian and Natalie, I had no doubt I would

had distanced himself after he found his mate. He said everything

was rare now that I could ever talk to him alone. If I did, it was like a silent alarm went off, and someone would come to interrupt us

interruptions or eavesdroppers listening in, something I could no longer do.

home. No friends.

Then there was Tobias.